Backpack with detachable wheels

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to backpacks, particularly for use by children and young adults. The backpacks are normally used to transport books and other educational materials to and from educational facilities, such as schools. A plurality of wheels are secured to the bottom or lower portion of the backpack. In a preferred embodiment, the wheels are attached to a frame which is attachable to and removable from the backpack. The wheels and frame are stored on the backpack when not in use, such as when the child is in school. The wheels permit the backpack to be rolled behind a user rather than be carried by the user on their back. Rolling of the backpack avoids physical injuries resulting from carrying the backpacks on the user&#39;s back.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a backpack provided with wheels for ease of transportation. Backpacks normally containing multiple school books and other school supplies are relatively heavy and difficult for young people to safely carry on their back. The wheels are preferably secured to an assembly which is readily detachably secured to the backpack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to bags and more particularly backpacks having one or more storage areas. The backpacks preferably include straps which can be placed over a person's shoulders and allow the backpack to be carried on the person's back. The development of luggage for the frequent traveler has resulted in the provision of wheels on the luggage to permit the traveler to wheel the luggage which is too heavy to carry.

Recently there has been an increase of injuries to school age individuals as a result of carrying heavy backpacks on their backs to and from school. Many young people do not know how to properly carry heavy loads and as a result sustain injuries from carrying heavy backpacks. Therefore there exists a need for another type of backpack to transport heavy loads such as books without injury to an individual.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,447 (McDermott) discloses a portable, expandable locker including detachable shoulder straps, wheels, a handle, a detachable compartment and an expandable compartment. The intended purpose of the device is the storage of books and school supplies. A base member 15 is secured to the lower portion of the expandable locker by expandable sleeve and zipper. When additional space is required within the portable locker, the base member is unzipped from the lower portion of the locker and sleeve expands to provide the additional space, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Straps are employed to permit an individual to carry the locker as a backpack. Although the base member can be removably secured to a lower portion of the locker, there is no disclosure that it can be completely detached therefrom and stored in a separate compartment of the locker.

U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2004/0238303 (Hafif) discloses a combination backpack and wheeled frame. Fasteners attach the respectively top and bottom portions of the backpack to the frame. A flap is permanently secured to the backpack at one end thereof and removable secured to the backpack with snaps, etc. at the opposite end. Flap 16 helps to secure the backpack to the frame. The wheels and frame are removable attached to the backpack and can be carried in one of the compartments.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,395 (Lim et al.) discloses a backpack which allows a user to carry the backpack on his/her shoulders or, if desired, to transport the backpack in a wheeled fashion. The backpack includes a base member 12 which has a sliding front portion. A backpack is mounted on the base member. The backpack is compressible and expandable. In a compressed state, the base member and backpack are almost half their expanded size so that the structure may be conveniently stored in compact locations. Actuator mechanisms are conveniently located on the base member to allow a user to quickly and easily release the sliding portion and backpack for expansion. The base member is permanently attached to the backpack. There is no mechanism to readily detach and reattach the base member to the backpack.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,684 (Oh) discloses luggage which can be readily converted from a wheeled suitcase to a backpack. The suitcase includes a base having wheels 100 mounted thereon. A frame is secured to a compartment affixed to a rear portion of the suitcase. An extendable handle is secured to the frame. The handle is used whenever the suitcase is wheeled around. A pair of shoulder straps are secured to the outside of the compartment. The shoulder straps are utilized wherever the suitcase is to be carried as a backpack. A cover is removably secured to the outside of the compartment. The cover secures the shoulder straps when they are not being used. The base and wheels are not readily detachable and attachable from the backpack.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,503 (Wulf et al.) discloses luggage similar to U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,684. A suitcase is provided with wheels on a lower portion thereof. An extendable and retractable handle is secured to a compartment 16 which is secured to the suitcase. The handle 68 is utilized whenever the suitcase is wheeled around. The compartment 16 also includes a pair of shoulder straps. These straps are employed whenever the suitcase is carried as a backpack. The straps are stored in compartment 16 when they are not in use. The base and wheels are not readily detachable and attachable to the suitcase.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,286 (Song) discloses a backpack which is provided with wheels so that the backpack can be readily pulled along whenever it is too heavy to carry on a person. A handle is provided to assist in pulling the wheeled backpack. A base member is attached to a lower portion of the backpack. The base member includes means to mount wheels thereon. However, the base member and wheels are not readily detachable and attachable to the backpack.

U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2004/0195791 (Brooks-Inglis) discloses a wheeled backpack particularly for use by small children at school and other educational facilities. The backpack includes a front side, an opposing rear side, a bottom surface, two opposing sides, and an inner compartment within which items may be carried. Shoulder straps are attached to the bag's rear side. A handle is secured to the rear side of the backpack and used when the backpack is pulled along on the wheels. The wheel assembly includes a pair of detachable wheels mounted on an axel. The axel is secured to the backpack at a lower portion thereof. While the wheels are detachable from the backpack the axel and base on which the axel is mounted is not removable from the backpack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to backpacks, particularly for use by children and young adults. The backpacks are normally used to transport books and other educational materials to and from educational facilities, such as schools. A plurality of wheels are secured to the bottom or lower portion of the backpack. In a preferred embodiment, the wheels are attached to a frame which is attachable to and removable from the backpack. The wheels and frame are stored on the backpack when not in use, such as when the child is in school. The wheels permit the backpack to be rolled behind a user rather than be carried by the user on their back. Rolling of the backpack avoids physical injuries resulting from carrying the backpacks on the user's back.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to provide a backpack that can be readily transported by rolling along a surface or the ground rather than being carried on a user's back.

It is a further objective of the instant invention to provide a backpack including a plurality of wheels to facilitate transportation of the backpack.

It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a backpack which includes a plurality of readily removable and attachable wheels. The wheels can be readily removed and attached by young children.

It is yet a further objective of the invention to provide a backpack including a plurality of readily removable wheels and a storage device for the wheels on the backpack.

It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a backpack with a handle to facilitate rolling of the backpack along a surface.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side view of the backpack of the present invention including a frame with wheels mounted on the bottom of the backpack;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the backpack of the present invention with the frame and wheels stored in a compartment of the backpack;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the frame and wheels;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the backpack of the present invention wherein the wheels are secured to the backpack in an alternate manner; and

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the backpack of the present invention including a flap to secure the frame and wheels to the backpack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit non limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

A backpack 10 includes a main compartment 12 and can be provided with additional compartments such as front compartments 14 and 15. Additional compartments (not shown) can be provided on the sides and rear of the backpack. Access to compartments 12 and 14 is gained through openings 16, 18 formed on the exterior of the compartment and along a portion of a periphery thereof. The openings 16, 18 are preferable closed by a zipper 20. Other types of closure mechanisms can also be employed such as snaps, hook and loop fasteners, clips, buttons, draw strings, flaps and the like. The backpack can be made from nylon, leather or some other durable fabric or material. The compartments are designed to hold various objects such as, but not limited to, books, writing instruments, calculators, electronic devices, cell phones, clothing and food.

The backpack 10 further includes a handle 22 by which the backpack can be lifted or carried. A plurality of shoulder straps 24, 26 are secured to a rear portion of the backpack. The shoulder straps 24, 26 enable the backpack to be carried by a user on their back. The shoulder straps are adjustable to enable the backpack to be carried by individuals of different sizes, such as young children or adults.

A plurality of wheels 28 are removably secured to a bottom portion of the backpack. In a preferred embodiment four (4) wheels are secured to a frame 30, illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, by any known means. Preferably the wheels are secured in a manner which permits them to pivot 360 degrees in a horizontal plane, thus allowing the backpack to be moved in any direction. The number of wheels secured to the backpack is variable and can be as few as two. The only requirement is that they permit the backpack to be rolled or moved along a surface. The wheels are preferably secured to the frame in a manner which permits the backpack to stand substantially upright and be rollably supported. The backpack can be rolled or moved in any direction along a surface. Handle 22, shoulder straps 24, 26 or a supplemental handle 34, secured to the backpack (FIG. 4), is used to roll and guide the backpack along a surface. The readily removable wheels allow the student or child to easily remove the wheels when in school or other areas where wheeled backpacks may not be permitted.

The frame 30 is secured to a bottom portion of the backpack utilizing attachment means 32 which permit the frame to be readily removed from and attached to the bottom portion of the backpack. These securing means 32 can be, but are not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, snap type fasteners, clips, releasable hinges, pins, zippers and the like. Frame 30 is preferably approximately the same size as the bottom of the backpack. However, the frame can be any other size. After the frame and wheels are removed from the bottom of the backpack they can be stored on the backpack. They can be placed into the main compartment 12. They can also be placed into a compartment 14 positioned on the front of the backpack (FIG. 2). In addition, they can be secured to the rear of the backpack with a flap 36. As illustrated in FIG. 5 one end of flap 36 is secured to one side of the rear of the backpack by stitching, gluing or the like. The other end of flap 36 is removably secured to an opposite side of the rear of the backpack by snap type fasteners 38. In place of the snap type fasteners 38, hook and loop fasteners, clips and the like can be employed. When the frame 30 and wheels are to be secured against the rear of the backpack one end 40 of the flap 36 is removed from one side of the rear of the backpack where it is being held by fasteners 38 described above. The frame and wheels are placed against the rear of the backpack. Then the flap is placed over the frame and the end 40 of the flap is secured to the side of the rear of the backpack from which it was removed utilizing the above noted fasteners. The flap is sized such that it will hold the frame and wheels snugly against the backpack. While four are shown, two or more wheels can be employed.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the wheels is individually, releasably secured to the bottom of the backpack. Attachment means 42 secure each wheel to the bottom portion of the backpack. Attachment means 42 are similar to attachment means 32 described above. The can be but are not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, snap type fasteners, clips, releasable hinges, pins, and the like. As set forth in the first embodiment, the number of wheels secured to the backpack is variable and can be as few as two.

After the wheels are removed from the bottom of the backpack they can be stored in the main compartment 12, in a compartment 14 on the front of the backpack and on the back of the backpack secured by flap 36 in a manner similar to storing the frame 30 and wheels 28 described above.

Supplemental handle 34 is telescopically secured to the rear of the backpack, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Handle 34 is shown in a partially extended position. Handle 34 can be lowered such that it is approximately flush with the outer surface of backpack 10. It can also be raised to a position which would enable an individual to pull or push the backpack along the ground or a surface without bending over.

All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A portable backpack comprising: at least one resealable compartment; a pair of shoulder straps; wheels, said wheels being readily attachable to and detachable from a bottom portion of said backpack; a storage device on said backpack constructed and arranged to store said frame subsequent to removal of said frame from said bottom portion of said backpack.
 2. The portable backpack of claim 1 wherein said storage device includes a compartment secured to an outside portion of said backpack, said compartment being sized to accommodate said wheels, said wheels being insertable into said compartment subsequent to removal from said bottom portion of said backpack.
 3. The portable backpack of claim 1 wherein said storage device includes a compartment on an inside portion of said backpack, said compartment being sized to accommodate said wheels, said wheels being insertable into said compartment subsequent to removal from said bottom portion of said backpack.
 4. The backpack of claim 1 wherein said wheels are removably secured to said bottom portion of said backpack with hook and loop fasteners.
 5. The backpack of claim 1 wherein said wheels are removably secured to said bottom portion of said backpack with snap type fasteners.
 6. The backpack of claim 1 wherein said wheels are mounted on a frame, said frame being removably secured to the bottom portion of said backpack.
 7. The backpack of claim 6 wherein said frame is removably secured to said bottom portion of said backpack with hook and loop fasteners.
 8. The backpack of claim 6 wherein said frame is removably secured to said bottom portion of said backpack with snap type fasteners.
 9. The backpack of claim 6 where said frame is removably secured to said bottom portion of said backpack utilizing a zipper assembly.
 10. The backpack of claim 9 wherein said zipper assembly extends around the perimeter of said frame.
 11. The portable backpack of claim 6 wherein said storage device includes a compartment secured to an outside portion of said backpack, said compartment being sized to accommodate said frame, said frame being insertable into said compartment subsequent to removal from said bottom portion of said backpack.
 12. The backpack of claim 6 including a flap which extends from one side of a rear portion of said backpack to the other side of said rear portion, said flap is releasably attached to said backpack at said other side of said rear portion, said frame being secured to said backpack by said flap subsequent to removal of said frame from said lower portion of said backpack.
 13. The backpack of claim 6 wherein said frame is substantially the same size as said bottom portion of said backpack.
 14. The backpack of claim 6 wherein said frame is substantially smaller that said bottom of said backpack.
 15. The backpack of claim 1 including a flap which extends from one side of a rear portion of said backpack to the other side of said rear portion, said flap is releasably attached to said backpack at said other side of said rear portion, said wheels are secured to said backpack by said flap subsequent to removal of said wheels from said lower portion of said backpack. 